Considering Colville - small farm and orchard (Spokane, Deer Park: appointed, motels)

[MT2WA]

Hi all,

My wife and I are living in Western Montana, I work all over the West (via airplane). The drive to the Spokane Airport gets very hazardous and long in the winter months, coming over Look Out Pass or the long way through Sand Point.

We live on a nice piece of land in Montana, so we want to get a similar setup if we move. We're thinking 20+ acres and would prefer 40 acres, with some out buildings, cross fencing, trees and pasture.

We intend to have some animals and apple trees (we sure like apple cider).

We have children but their grown. We're in our mid 40's at the moment

So the question is, where in the the areas north of Spokane is the right spot to look? We're thinking Colville for several reasons. I'll list the reasons and you all please throw rocks at me:

1). Less than 2 hours from Spokane Airport (I fly in early or late, so traffic should not be an issue)

2). Nice little town with lots of services, and critical mass (our town in West Montana is < 1200 people and quite small -- 3 bars, 2 motels, 1 grocery store that's about it).

3). Plenty of reasonable 20 - 40 acres pieces

4). Climate similar to Western Montana

What do you think? What about Addy or Deer Park?

Thanks!

[avanight]

I don't think this is a good idea. The highway from just north of Chewelah to just south of Deer Park is treacherous. So many people I know have been killed on that road. It's a two lane road! A beloved Chewelah coach was recently killed in a horrible collision near Loon Lake. I drove past a wreck once and saw both cars catch on fire - no survivors. I don't have statistics but having lived in that area for many years I have known about so many wrecks. Especially compared to where I live now - North of Sandpoint. We have very few fatal collisions on the highways around Sandpoint. With worse weather conditions.

If you live in that area the odds are that someone you love will be killed on the highway.

If you are going to retire there, that's different. But commuting - not a good idea. Especially now with the bad economy it means less road maintenance in the winter. And the icy roads, especially near Loon Lake, are part of what makes that commute so hazardous.

I suggest either just northwest or northeast of Spokane. Not as far as Deer Park which is in the danger zone IMO.

Safer if you could take a commuter plane from Colville to Spokane airport. Is there one?

I love Addy and Bluecreek!

[Amber Klen]

If you are thinking that Colville will provide you with basic needs & services, you will be disappointed. Businesses are hurting here and I am hearing more and more stories of shady deals occuring, especially with regard to purchasing properties or homes. If you DO choose to look at properties in/around Colville, bring your own trusted home inspector!!!

The area is quite scenic, but if you enjoy diversity, either in culture or cuisine, forget it.

There is a growing problem with drugs/driving under the influence and drunk driving. And as avanight said, city services have been cutback so road maintenance is poor.

[mistyriverranch]

How about Elk, Chattaroy or Deer Park closer to Highway 2?
I hate 395 too...those drivers are nuts. The area around Newport is nice too.

[MT2WA]

Is Addy in this dangerous area you describe? I appreciate your answer because dangerous road conditions are what I am trying to avoid.

[MT2WA]

So I was thinking of Deer Park, do you think the drive from there to Spokane Airport is safer in the winter than from Colville?

[WendyK]

driving from Deer Park would be a lot easier than driving from Colville. Depending on which side of Deer Park you're on, you could take either Hwy 2 or Hwy 395 to head south into Spokane.

[goatgirl]

That stretch of highway sounds horrible. We were going to drive it the first part of March, should we be worried?

[Small and solar]

Do you know if WA DOT maintains statics re: accidents and fatalities per road segment? If so You could see the where and when (time of day or time of year) the majority of accidents occur.

Just a thought.

[goatgirl]

Thanks small and solar, I found a link to look at the Washington State DOT data, there are 135 pages but there should be something in there!